Our Mission
RIC stands for Reconciling In Christ and is a program of the ELCA- and ELCIC-supported Reconciling Works organization. Trinity Lutheran Church is proud to be an RIC partner. “The purpose of the RIC program is to ensure the welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions; work for racial equity and commit to anti-racist work and support the national program.”
Our Outreach
Faith, Friends, & Fellowship discussion group: Meets every 2nd Sunday of the month to enjoy refreshments and lively discussion about topics concerning social justice, equity, and inclusion for all of God’s beloved children.
TLC lives out its RIC commitment through education, fellowship, and community engagement, including:
- Monthly Faith, Friends, & Fellowship discussions on topics such as bias, inclusion, poverty, and LGBTQIA+ understanding
- Scriptural engagement sessions exploring what the Bible says, and does not say, about LGBTQIA+ people
- Movie nights highlighting racial minority and LGBTQIA+ history and voices
- An annual Rainbow Potluck and other fellowship events
- Faith Journey presentations by LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC congregants
- Group outings, such as attending local theater performances and festivals
- Accessibility improvement initiatives
- Hands-on service and advocacy activities
Our Action
Please visit the TLC RIC blog by clicking on the link below.
https://becomingmorewelcomingtrinitynn.blogspot.com
FAQs
- What is the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) program?
It is an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) supported program of the non-profit organization ReconcilingWorks. The purpose of the RIC Program is to help Lutheran communities ensure the welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, races, ethnicities, and abilities. The RIC mission is only one of many outreach missions at Trinity Lutheran Church. - How did Trinity Lutheran Church (TLC) achieve the RIC partnership status?
TLC began the RIC program using the Building an Inclusive Church curriculum in 2022. After three years of working through a “welcoming journey” that included scriptural engagement, discussion, education, listening, and discernment in how to extend God’s welcome to all people, the congregation voted to become an RIC partner in June 2025. Going forward, the TLC community will continue this lifelong journey, setting new milestones as they deepen and expand their welcome and support for all of God’s children. - How does the church’s faith relate to this welcome?
Trinity Lutheran Church, in alignment with the ELCA, believes that God’s grace is a free gift given to everyone. We believe we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves and to work for justice and equity in the world. Our faith “frees us to live gratefully” and to share that welcome with everyone. - How is TLC implementing the RIC mission with the congregation?
TLC seeks to clearly and publicly show that it is a safe and welcoming space for all, extending God’s unconditional love to every neighbor through both words and actions. The RIC Core Team, an ad hoc committee of the TLC Council, was formed to guide the congregation through the RIC partnership journey. The team continues to organize and lead education, fellowship gatherings, community engagement opportunities, and social justice efforts within both the
congregation and the wider community. - How does the church’s RIC status affect Trinity Lutheran School (TLS)?
While Trinity Lutheran School is a mission of the church, the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) commitment is a congregation-led mission of Trinity Lutheran Church and does not apply to the school. TLS operates as a separate and independent entity, though it is overseen and supported by the church. As with other church missions, members of the school community are invited, but not required to engage in church activities as they choose. The church’s RIC status does not affect the school’s curriculum, educational practices, or the content of weekly chapel services. - What does TLC’s Reconciling in Christ (RIC) partnership look like in action?
TLC lives out its RIC commitment through education, fellowship, and community engagement, including:
— Monthly Faith, Friends, & Fellowship discussions on topics such as bias, inclusion, poverty, and LGBTQIA+ understanding
— Scriptural engagement sessions exploring what the Bible says, and does not say, about LGBTQIA+ people
— Movie nights highlighting racial minority and LGBTQIA+ history and voices
— An annual Rainbow Potluck and other fellowship events
— Faith Journey presentations by LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC congregants
— Group outings, such as attending local theater performances and festivals
— Accessibility improvement initiatives, including a wheelchair-accessible sanctuary ramp, printed sermons for congregants with hearing loss or learning differences, and sensory supports such as noise-reducing headphones and fidget tools for neurodivergent worshipers
— Hands-on service and advocacy, such as creating and sharing welcome messages with neighbors experiencing housing insecurity, hosting food and school supply drives for those facing food and financial insecurity, and writing letters to local representatives in support of inclusive legislation